Muhammara Dip (red pepper and walnut spread)

If you want to switch up your dipping game, this muhammara dip is one you need in your dip rotation. It’s a middle eastern dip with lots of texture and flavour. It’s easy to make and perfect for your next party, dinner party or just great to have in the fridge to enjoy yourself.

My husband and I really love roasted red peppers. He can’t remember how or when he was introduced to roasted red peppers, but he can’t get enough of them in anything. He loves my feta and roasted red pepper dip which I haven’t shared on here yet but I think the recipe is in my IG feed somewhere. Anyways making a mental note to myself right now to make and photograph and put up the recipe to that dip as well. Moving on though. My love for them comes from my parent’s love for them. Roasted red peppers marinating in olive oil and garlic were a staple growing up. They were placed on the table for every meal, like a condiment. I could literally live on them with bread and feta. So there was no doubt that I was going to make and love this dip.

It has a wonderful natural sweetness and smokiness from the peppers which I love. Using jarred ones is totally ok but it’s worth the time and effort to roast them yourself. The bread crumbs (and you can use any kind of bread crumbs including GF- I used panko for more texture) give it more body and texture. The toasted walnuts add to the earthy and nutty flavour as well as add a wonderful texture. Adding the pomegranate molasses is a must and gives it a distinct sweetness and a slight edge of acidity along with the lemon juice.

This dip gets better after a day sitting in the fridge allowing the flavours to meld together just like a chili or stew. That is why I like to make mine a day ahead if I’m serving it at a dinner party. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days. It’s great to dip veggies and toasted pita chips into. But I also love it as a spread for your sandwich or on toast or flatbread. It makes a great sauce for skewered veggies or meat and totally acceptable to eat it by the spoonful as well.

This is a great healthy option to add to your table of snacks for Super Bowl and basically any occasion. If you have never heard of it or tried it before - it’s a must! We couldn’t get enough and it’s a lot different in taste and texture to a hummus or any other dip I would say. It’s closer to a harissa dip but without that much heat and a little sweeter. You will just have to give it a try to formulate your own option on it. Trust me you won’t regret it. Enjoy!

Ingredients

For the dip

3-4 roasted red peppers (charred on the bbq, stovetop grill or broiled until charred in the oven, allowed to rest covered with foil in a bowl and then peeled, seeds removed)- you can also use jarred roasted red peppers as well - approx 1-1½ cups

1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes or a small red chili

½ tsp ground cumin

3⁄4 cup walnuts lightly toasted

2 cloves of roasted garlic (roasted with the cauli) -optional

1 tsp lemon juice

¼ cup whole grain bread crumbs or any other kind of bread crumbs including GF (I used whole wheat panko)

¼ cup olive oil plus 1-2 tbsp more for drizzling over dip after

2 tbsp pomegranate molasses

¼ cup tomato paste

¼ cup warm water if needed to thin out the dip

Salt and pepper to taste

For the roasted cauliflower florets

1 small head of cauliflower separated into florets

2 tbsp olive oil plus

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves of garlic ( roasted with the cauli but for the dip) (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F

Toss the cauliflower florets and whole garlic cloves in oil on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for approx 20 minutes or until tender and golden brown flipping or tossing once in between. Set aside when done and reserve the garlic for dip

In a food processor or high speed blender process the chili flakes, cumin, walnuts, lemon juice, breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, garlic if using, and red peppers until nice and smooth. Then drizzle with warm water to reach desired texture and pulse a few more times. I didn’t need the water.

Stir in and season with salt and pepper to your liking and serve with the cauliflower bites. I topped mine with a drizzle of olive oil, dusting of cumin, cumin seeds, chopped walnuts and some chopped parsley